Henry V

Henry V, likely born on 11 August 1081 or 1086, was the King of Germany from 1099 until his death in 1125 and became the Holy Roman Emperor from 1111 to 1125. He was the last ruler of the Salian dynasty, succeeding his father Henry IV after being appointed as co-ruler in 1098. His early reign was marked by his opposition to his father’s policies during the Investiture Controversy, leading to Henry IV’s abdication in 1105. Initially compliant with the imperial princes, Henry V sought to retain the right to invest bishops but faced resistance, culminating in his capture of Pope Paschal II and a forced imperial coronation in 1111. Subsequently, he returned to autocratic rule reminiscent of earlier Salian practices.

Despite his efforts to assert control over the church, Henry V faced continued opposition, leading to the Concordat of Worms in 1122, where he compromised with Pope Callixtus II to end the Investiture Controversy. His reign was also characterized by internal strife and the strengthening of princely powers, particularly in Saxony and the Rhineland. Henry V’s policies and actions during his reign had a lasting impact on the balance of power between the monarchy and the nobility, as well as the relationship between the church and the state within the Holy Roman Empire.